Couple Words...

If you travel to Korea, here are a couple things you might want to know.

1. Look out for cars, vans and busses on side walks or alleys or stairwells. Just keep your eye open.

2. If you think Korea is expensive, you are on the wrong part of town.

3. If you have wavy hair, it will go out of control. (Let me know if you find a solution.)

Everything went fine today, spare a couple things... haha.

Expect the Unexpected

Yesterday I studied a bunch for the first day of training (I passed every test except for one [which is better than most]). Then I went out to the palace district and saw some really great palaces! The first (and biggest one) was called Gyeongbokgung. Then we wandered down to Changdeokgung (gung means palace). It was really cool to see some of the Asian history that I took come to life. After that we wanted some dinner, so we went down to Insa-dong street. This was a traditional Korean street that was really great. We found an awesome restaurant that served fish. I just pointed to the fish picture and it came out as a whole fish... haha. I tried Korea's national alcohol for the first time, Soju. Its a rice fermentation similar to Saki, but it tastes like vodka. TONS of warnings from foreigners on how this stuff can creep up on you. I only had 2 shots because I had to wake up for training.

Training was kind of strange. They warn us that the instructor is going to be similar to a drill sargent. But when the class started it was this big Korean American that was super nice to us... too nice. I think tomorrow will be way different. The people I'm training with are pretty dorky but super nice. After training we went down to the Seoul Medical Center to get a medical exam. It was strange... Korean hospitals are WAY different than hospitals in the States. There were gurneys EVERYWHERE right when we entered the hospital. One kid fainted when we got our blood drawn. That was pretty concerning. Everything went just fine though.

Tomorrow I have to pass the retake of test that I didn't pass. Tomorrow I think will be way different. They keep reiterating that this is a corporation not a school. Tonight all 15 recruits want to go out to the Foreigner's part of town, Itaewon. Apparently it's a pretty crazy place surrounded by "hooker hill" and "homo hill". Should be a goodnight. I might have to duck out early tonight. :)

Czech Fish and Chips and Long Island Ice Tea

Oh man. I got to Seoul last night at about 6:30pm. I took a sweaty bus ride from the Incheon airport down into the town. Then a cab ride from the City Airport Terminal (CAT) that was supposed to be sponsored by the school, but had to pay 10 bucks. Whatever, I was too tired to fight it. The hotel room is an interesting set up. I expected to have a room to myself or maybe one more person. When I got my key, I went up to the 13th floor and opened the door and saw two sets of shoes on the floor. Again, too tired to care i went in and saw an interesting hostel like set up. There is one main room and two bed rooms. There are 3 other guys here in my room. One Canadian, one Texan and one South African. Pretty nice guys.

Went out last night with Brita and her new boyfriend Lou. We walked around this area for a while and just walked in somewhere that looked like a castle. The only thing I could find to eat was Fish and Chips. SUPER WEIRD fish and chips!! The fish was crusted with a milky cheese, and the fries were sweet potato fries. The beer was good and cheapish though. Then we went to a lounge type bar and had one expensive cocktail. After that it was about 1:30 am. I needed sleep. They tried to get me to go out to another bar, but I NEEDED to go pass out. So I did. :)

No Original Ideas

I'm stealing this idea of blogging my time oversees from Paul and Alex White. Also, I am really bored and kind of hungover at an airport in Seattle. Most likely I will forget to write in this, but on the other hand I might be super bored and lonely in Korea. So I guess you will know what it means when I write all the time...

When I first arrived to the Seattle airport and took the 3 trains that led me to wherever the hell I am now, I stopped at an airport deli that advertised an egg, cheese and bacon biscuit. I asked the lady if she could make me one without bacon. She said no. Awesome start to a day. I had to eat a small package of almonds for 5 dollars.

I say start to my day as if it had a beginning. The last 3 months have really run together. Last night especially was a jumble of mixed emotions, swimming, booze, cops and guns. Thats not really what I want this blog to be about though.

I board the plane in 40 minutes. Then to Seoul for a week of training. Wish me luck!!